Counting Bits of Joy

Tonight at midnight, bringing the Year 2010 to an end. Barely a minute after, a New Year...2011...begins. A Year not before known, yet filled with the promise of hope and anticipation of life a new. May you have health, happiness and hope today and always. Wishing you Joy for the New Year.

Is the "magic" of Christmas. Wishing all of you a Merry Christmas. May you each receive, and give, smiles of happiness that will fill your hearts with gladness today and always.

When and how I became a collector of deer escapes me. However, the dear friend in my life, is certainly aware of my fondness for all things deer. Her talent in finding and presenting such treasures tops the list of deerlightful happiness. Deer in all shapes and sizes. Look closely...deer on the hanky and the lace surrounding it...just wonderful! So many more details in this display...an antique sugar bowl filled with wonderful trees, transformed from new green ones. A lovely antique glass dish filled with yummy chocolate covered mint sticks...Bogdon's Candy Company, made locally. A heart milagros and angel for my "Peace" corner. Small velvet pumpkin. Why you ask? It's setting on my favorite "Mexican Pumpkin" candle by Picwick & Co. candles...also local. Not too many would think to call the company to track down their off season scent! All this atop an old silver tray! Shhh...don't tell anyone...this is my Christmas, all thanks to a dear jewel ! D...

And what am I doing? Enjoying family, friends and the sights and sounds of Christmas. After all, isn't that what it is all about? The weekend began listening, or as the principal says "following", the voices of angels at the annual Christmas program. Way too much action to take photos during the performance, so before will have to do. And besides, the grandgirls now consider this photo an annual tradition. Then yesterday, off to view the visual treats provided by Hallmark Cards in celebration of their 100Th year. A team of talented individuals reproduced thousands of Christmas cards to decorate both Halls Plaza and Halls Crown Center stores with images beyond imagination. Not only were the displays (indoors and out) amazing...watching shoppers walking by without even noticing dresses, shoes, flowers and so many works of art made entirely of cards, left me speechless. This photo of the "Holly Gown" does little to show the true craftsmanship...just imagine if you ...

Don't you just love that word? Even my husband, who did not know the meaning of the word before me, is now an expert on "vignettes", or so he thinks. After all these years, I suppose he's entitled...lol. The house is completely decorated, although photography eludes me so here are a few of my little "vignettes". The apothecary jar filled with childhood ornaments. This may be more of a display than vignette, but still shows off some of my favorite Santas. My corner of Peace...next to my stitching and reading chair. A little nature? And of course, the grandgirls' room has to be decorated! Vignettes...little corners of pleasures. Thank you for dropping by, won't you tell me about your vignettes?

And everyone appears to be caught up in what was once known as the "hustle and bustle" of the season. Today it seems as though many are in a hurry and so tired and out of sorts they can't possibly take time to think what the season even means to them. When did that happen? Why are we all in a mad rush to find the "perfect gift"? Not me...not today...time spent driving around our City remembering different buildings and places with a little comfort food on the side was perfect! What do you think...wouldn't time enjoying our days be the perfect gift?

Who decorates for Christmas through out the whole house? Has a deer collection that is easily incorporated into the holiday? Enjoys morning coffee in a mug which was a gift from her son? Saves old ornaments regardless of their condition? Has a childhood "Chianti wine" ornament? Who knew? And has a grandgirl who inspires them to decorate with a warm, happy heart? Perhaps one should decorate right after Thanksgiving while still feeling the fullness of being thankful. Tell me, am I the only one?

For friends and family...and the ties that bind us to gether. We ask for no great things, only small things with great love.

My husband found this downstairs in the man cave. He brings it up and says, "Do you want me to clean this for Thanksgiving?". I said sure...after all it gives him something to do. Seriously, did I actually stitch on Aida? Something in me just couldn't part with the piece, although I did over dye (probably one of my first) the stark cream fabric. Guess it won't hurt to hang for a few days. Thankful to have found linen!

Through 28ct linen was an understatement! Remember my concern, in an earlier post, switching from 28ct to a smaller count? Well silly me, not only did I join a SAL for LaDDa's "Live, Laugh, Love"...35count fabric was my choice! The Christmas Sampler is put aside while looking for a "thrifty" frame, so before the eyes go, I'm off to stitch. Happy Stitching, Happy Weekend!

change is every where...lovely isn't it? Life is full of change...most out of our control. All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind is a part of ourselves. Today's change comes with heavy heart...ever filled with love.

Twelve and all she wants is to gain five pounds so she can sit in the front seat of cars. Silly girl...won't be long and you won't want weight for your birthday! As always, gracious in opening presents...never forgetting an immediate "thank you" no matter the gift. And since she is so into recycling, Grammie finds the perfect packaging...no trash involved. Although her dad believes I need to change my thoughts on my age if I'm going to use 45's as wrapping. Does anyone still have those let alone remember what they are? Twelve years...what a loving gentle spirit you have become... Happy Birthday. Love you to the Moon!

Car's in the shop and almost ready...thank goodness it wasn't totaled and she had insurance, not to mention she waited in the parking lot for us. Just how does one back into a parked car? In a hurry or on the a cell phone...maybe both? Summer slip covers off and summer curtains down...nice warm cozy feeling now. Entry way paint chosen...hope to have it painted before the holidays. Slow down, November! Computer's running smoothly once again...I would not recommend Norton Anti Virus to anyone! Maybe now I can take the time to play around with blog colors...I know it's difficult to read for some. And look...stitching right along on the "Christmas Sampler"! Not worrying about the color...it will probably need a little "dip" in dye anyway. Although after working on 28ct, I hope I will be able to go to a 35ct next project. Wow...28ct is like throwing the needle thru the fabric! Anyway, not much longer and it will be ready for framing...hope my fr...

At least not in the stitching. Dated pattern, dated colors...a little scary? After all this is a 1989 pattern. Can you believe that? I remember stitching this twice for gifts and always wanting to have it for myself, so the stitching began. A little into it, I was doubting the colors...can you remember when DMC 927 was so popular? Although questioning the colors, I had gone too far to turn back...yet, changing DMC 407 to muted greens (middle alphabet) was a good choice along with "tweaking" the border flowers. All this in little under a week! Just think, going back to an old favorite brought back the pleasure of stitching!! Do you have an old favorite?

Or just unable to set in a chair and stitch. Goodness knows there is plenty to accomplish...let alone gardening, reading, and the "piles" that are left undone with no excuse. Digging thru the stash and wips didn't increase motivation, reading other blogs and seeing a lot of beautiful stitching doesn't increase motivation. Wait, spending too much time on the computer? That may be the problem and since this computer has a mind of it's own lately, it's time to move on. Offering no apology for not doing...just going to do!

Or "Halloween" would have come and gone this year before stitching a new project. And after looking thru past year's, who would know? I will do my best to identify the designers... Notforgotten Farm and Ewe and Eye pumpkins Shepherd's Bush Blackbird Designs from Trix or Treat Shepherd's Bush kits Hands to Work Thank you for your comments...if you're interested in any of these patterns, I will be glad to see what I can find. Happy Stitching!